Australia in good position at end of day one
3:02

Australia are in the healthy position of 3/331 after David Warner and Michael Clarke led the charge on day one of the third test.

Fox Sports

02 Mar 2014

Sport/Cricket/Australian Internationals

David Warner celebrates after bringing up his century in Cape Town.Source: Getty Images

DAVID Warner has sought redemption from his teammates in the best possible way by making a century but captain Michael Clarke has received a fearful battering making his first decent score in months.

After days of controversy, a $2900 fine and in house punishment for accusing South Africa of ball tampering, Warner ensured Australia made a flying start to the deciding third and final Test at Newlands.

The powerful left-hander made 135, his seventh Test century, from just 152 balls with 12 fours and a six as Australia dominated the opening day, moving to 3-331 at stumps.

David Warner bags ton in Cape Town
2:07

David Warner helps himself to an early ton as Australia look strong in Cape Town

Fox Sports

03 Mar 2014

Sport/Cricket/Australian Internationals

A bruised Clarke was unbeaten on 92, his first score above 24 in 12 innings since making a century during the second Test against England in Adelaide last December. Steve Smith was an enterprising 50 not out.

While Dale Steyn was off the field receiving treatment on his right hamstring after walking off one ball into his 11th over, Clarke suffered some terrible blows from the dangerous Morne Morkel bowling short from around the wicket with a leg side field.

Clarke received extensive treatment for a blow to his left arm and was then felled by a Morkel short ball which flicked the batsman’s shoulder and cannoned into the side of his neck.

Morkel v Clarke - A fiery encounter
1:26

Australian captain Michael Clarke faced a barrage of short deliveries from Morn Morkel.

Fox Sports

02 Mar 2014

Sport/Cricket/Australian Internationals

Moving back up the order to number four, with Shane Watson returning to the side at six, Clarke went down on one knee and stayed down for some time as team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris ran onto the field again to treat the captain.

To his credit Clarke continued and stood up to the assault, eventually seeing off Morkel’s spell. Clarke took Morkel on with the second new ball, playing a mixture of delightful and dangerous shots, but needed treatment again just before stumps when another Morkel short ball hit him in the fingers and drew blood.

It was Warner’s fourth century of the summer after scoring two during the Ashes series, along with an 83 not out, and one in the first Test at Centurion Park.

Chris Rogers was dismissed by Dale Steyn.Source: Getty Images

Warner was eventually out to a ball from spinner JP Duminy which turned across the left-hander and took the edge. Wicketkeeper AB de Villiers initially fumbled the chance before taking it on the second attempt.

Chris Rogers (25) was the only wicket to fall before lunch, caught at first slip playing a loose drive during the first over of Steyn’s second spell after an opening stand of 65.

Alex Doolan (20) looked comfortable playing the anchor role in a 73-run partnership with Warner before skying an ambitious pull to mid-on.

Australia made two changes, Watson for Shaun Marsh and James Pattinson for Peter Siddle.

South Africa included Alviro Petersen and Kyle Abbott for Quinton de Kock and Wayne Parnell

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